Easy DIY: Polliantor friendly container garden
Whether you’ve got a petite patio, a small balcony, or just a sunny doorstep, you can still make a big impact for our buzzing friends. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies are essential to a healthy ecosystem — and your garden can become a haven for them, no matter the size.
Container gardening is a perfect solution for smaller spaces, and with a little planning, you can turn your pots into pollinator paradises. Here’s how to build your own pollinator-friendly containers and help nature thrive right on your doorstep.
Why Pollinator-Friendly Containers?
Support biodiversity: Help vital pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Maximise small spaces: Even a single pot can feed dozens of pollinators.
Add colour and fragrance: These plants aren’t just good for wildlife — they’re gorgeous too!
Easy to maintain: Containers are accessible, tidy, and perfect for beginners.
Container 1: Herbal Heaven – Lavender, Sage & Dill
This pot is a fragrant, multi-purpose container that pollinators love — and you’ll love it too in the kitchen!
What you’ll need:
Lavender – A bee magnet with long-lasting purple blooms and calming scent.
Sage – Beautiful blue-purple flowers and edible leaves for your recipes.
Dill – A favourite of hoverflies and beneficial insects (plus, delicious with potatoes and fish!).
Container tips:
Choose a wide container (at least 30–40cm) with drainage holes.
Use peat-free compost mixed with some horticultural grit for drainage.
Place in full sun – all three herbs love warmth and light.
Water regularly but don’t let it get soggy. Herbs prefer slightly drier soil.
Trim spent blooms to encourage new growth.
Pollinator Perk: Bees adore the nectar-rich flowers, and hoverflies often lay their eggs near dill to keep aphids in check.
Container 2: Summer Meadow Pot – Dahlias, Poppies, Lavender, Cosmos & Sage
This container is a riot of colour, movement, and life — perfect for attracting butterflies and bees throughout summer.
What you’ll need:
Dahlias – Go for single or open-faced varieties to give bees access to pollen.
Poppies – Easy to grow and full of nectar.
Lavender – Adds structure, fragrance, and supports long-flowering season.
Cosmos – Delicate, daisy-like flowers loved by bees and butterflies.
Sage – Repeat flowering and loved by many pollinators.
Container tips:
Use a large, deep container (minimum 40–50cm diameter) for support and root space.
Use nutrient-rich compost and a slow-release organic fertiliser.
Place in full sun – this mix needs at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Deadhead regularly to keep blooms coming.
Stake taller dahlias and cosmos if needed.
Pollinator Perk: This mix provides a steady buffet of blooms from early summer through autumn, supporting pollinators across multiple life stages.
Pollinator-Friendly Planting Tips:
Mix colours and heights to mimic natural wildflower groupings.
Avoid double-flowered varieties, which can block access to pollen.
Go pesticide-free to keep your blooms safe for insects.
Water early in the morning so flowers stay dry and accessible.
Start Small, Grow Wild
Even one container can make a difference. You don’t need rolling meadows to support wildlife — just a few well-chosen plants in a pot can feed bees, nurture butterflies, and spark joy every time you step outside.
